การติดเกมเริ่มจากอัพยากตะ สภาวะกลาง ๆ ที่ใจยังไม่มีฐานที่ตั้งชัดเจน จากนั้นอกุศล คือความโลภและความโกรธ จะตามเข้ามาครอบงำจนกลายเป็นเจ้าเรือน พระอาจารย์ชี้ว่าการห้ามปรามระหว่างที่เขายังอยู่ในวาระนั้นแทบไม่ได้ผล ต้องรอให้หมดวาระตามกฎแห่งกรรมเขาจึงจะเลิกได้เองGame addiction starts as an indeterminate state of mind (avyākata) — neither wholesome nor unwholesome — with no clear anchor. From there, unwholesome states of greed and anger take hold and become the ruling force in a person's life. Phra Ajarn explains why trying to stop someone during that phase rarely works, and why real change comes only once their karmic turn runs its course.
Someone asked: what kind of nature does game addiction belong to, and if we want to help someone see the danger of being consumed by it, how should we go about helping them the right way?
Avyākata: Where Game Addiction Begins
At first, game addiction belongs to avyākata — an indeterminate state, neither wholesome nor unwholesome. In the beginning we don't think much of it; there's no obvious harm. The mind is simply scattered, without a clear anchor. Then, when the moment comes, something invites us to play.
When the Unwholesome Takes Over
But as we keep playing, unwholesome states start creeping in — , anger, liking, disliking. Whenever the thought of playing comes up, we want to play, until we're at it day and night, losing time, money, and other resources. When things don't go our way, anger flares up fiercely — some people even smash their phone in frustration, only to buy a new one out of that same displeasure.
Behind all of this is — greed for pleasant feelings, spending money for no real benefit, paying for this and that, losing time, resources, and of mind. The unwholesome and become entangled and take over as the ruling force in a person's life. It isn't worth it — months and years slip away, money is lost bit by bit to the game, and it ends up stealing our money, our precious time, and the good, comfortable feelings we once had.
Why Telling Someone to Stop Doesn't Work
While someone is caught up in the addiction, that period belongs to that state — they are, in a sense, possessed by it, attached to that feeling. Talking to them is like talking to someone who simply can't understand, because each moment is the result of . During the time the indeterminate state dominates and consumes them, that is their turn — they can't really direct themselves, and whatever you tell them, they won't really take it in.
It's like someone in love — a woman loving a man, a man loving a woman — you can point out the danger and they simply don't get it; you're speaking different languages until that turn runs its course. Before the indeterminate state can lead someone all the way into attachment, it has to be their turn — because their turn to be consumed has already arrived, and it consumes. There's no point trying to tell them to stop; it's extremely difficult.
Even parents sometimes support it without realizing — buying games for their children, suggesting one game or another — not knowing that behind it all is the nature of the indeterminate state taking control. Once it has taken hold, the unwholesome joins in: greed and delusion become the foundation, wanting that feeling again and again, playing day and night, and flaring into anger and irritation whenever things don't go as wanted.
It Ends Only When Their Turn Is Over
It may look as though you could tell them, teach them — but in truth it's very hard, because they've already been consumed, already attached to that feeling. Once their turn shifts to side, they'll stop on their own — one day they simply get bored and quit. As for when that turn will end, no one knows — sometimes it takes many months, sometimes many years.